Counselor

Pinnacle Treatment Centers • Modesto, CA

8d

About The Position

Pinnacle Treatment Centers is a provider of comprehensive addiction treatment services, using evidence-based practices and compassionate care to support patients with substance use disorders. The Counselor supports patients throughout their recovery by assessing their needs, developing individualized treatment plans, providing counseling and referrals, monitoring risk, and coordinating care with clinical and community partners.

The role includes completing intake and discharge processes, assessments and treatment plans; providing individual and group counseling; recognizing and escalating high-risk conditions; documenting services in accordance with applicable regulations and organizational policies; and participating in team meetings, training, case conferences, and community outreach. The posted schedule is Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Qualifications and compensation vary by counselor tier. The position is listed with hourly rates of $20–$21 for Counselor I, $21–$24 for Counselor II, and $24–$27 for certified or $27–$30 for licensed Counselor III.

Requirements

• Counselor I: Associate degree in a relevant field and the registration or credentials necessary to provide counseling services to the patient population.
• Counselor I, Kern County: Bachelor’s degree, or high school diploma/GED with 75% certification education.
• Counselor II: Associate degree in a relevant field or the majority of approved counselor certification courses, plus the license or certification necessary to provide counseling services to the patient population.
• Counselor II, Kern County: Bachelor’s degree or completion of 75% of required counselor certification courses.
• Counselor II: Counselor registration or certification from a certifying organization recognized by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs; proof of registration is required upon employment, and employees must be registered before providing counseling services under DHCS requirements.
• Counselor II: 2–5 years of experience or master’s-level education.
• Counselor III: Effective clinical skills in complex cases.
• Counselor III: Certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor through a California-approved certification agency, or current credentials as licensed or license-eligible with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology.
• Counselor III license-eligible employees must maintain Board practice requirements, including required clinical supervision from a Board-approved supervisor.
• Counselor III: Proof of licensure or certification by a state-approved regulatory agency is required upon employment, and employees must be credentialed before providing counseling services under DHCS requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Counselor I: Bachelor’s degree or higher is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Orient new patients to program rules, policies, procedures, and patient rights.
• Conduct intakes, discharge planning, initial assessments, and initial treatment plans within applicable regulatory, CARF, and Pinnacle time guidelines.
• Involve patients in assessment, treatment planning, and interventions.
• Administer biopsychosocial assessments at intake and on an ongoing basis.
• Use patients’ strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
• Determine the clinical necessity of counseling services based on assessments and evaluations.
• Monitor and document changes in patients’ circumstances, identify relapse indicators, and address them through early relapse-prevention interventions.
• Assess patients for high-risk conditions and administer BAM-R, C-SSRS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 screening tools.
• Evaluate risk factors and the appropriateness of treatment in an OTP versus residential or other treatment settings.
• Review other practitioners’ involvement in high-risk conditions, recommend specialist referrals when needed, and request releases of information to coordinate care.
• Flag and refer high-risk patients to Medical Directors, Physician Extenders, or Regional Clinical Leadership according to urgency.
• Review physician notes after high-risk patient sessions and escalate concerns to the supervising counselor and clinic manager if needed.
• Notify relevant staff in writing about high-risk patients and their conditions, and circulate treatment team or case conference minutes.
• Maintain referrals to specialized services, support groups, and community resources, and liaise with those agencies as necessary.
• Provide individual and group counseling based on issues identified in assessments and treatment plans, including relapse prevention, peer pressure, anger management, domestic violence, parenting, family preservation, and vocational rehabilitation.
• Use advanced counseling techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
• Schedule counseling sessions, issue appointment cards, and record scheduled or rescheduled sessions in the EHR scheduler.
• Document counseling services with required signatures and dates in accordance with applicable regulations, CARF guidelines, and Pinnacle policies.
• Participate in community relations and outreach efforts.
• Attend recommended training, including physician training of counselors, Regional Clinical Leadership training, and case conferences with program physicians and physician assistants.
• Collect research data when requested.
• Observe collection of patients’ urine samples when required.
• Attend team meetings and complete required training courses on time.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Variable compensation based on experience, education, and licensure.
• Career advancement opportunities through the Counselor Tier Program.
• Monthly performance-based bonuses.
• Eligibility at 90% of facilities for the Student Loan Repayment Program; the program selects applicants for potential forgiveness of 100% of student loans.
• Free access to more than 600 continuing education courses.
• 18 days of paid time off, sick leave, and 8 paid holidays.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Free clinical supervision, based on licensure and availability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree